flagetbrave

CoachJ, you seem a thoughtful man and I enjoyed your post. You clearly admire Trinity for their success although you imply that some things they do to "recruit" are unethical. You mention: Point 1. Roger Burkman runs a basketball camp in Oldham County and promotes this with a green sign and uses his thsrock.net email address. Counterpoint. I suspect that Mr. Burkman charges for a spot in his camp and further suspect that he does not share the proceeds with Trinity High School. I would conclude that this is a private venture. Mr. Burkman has no affiliation with Trinity Basketball other than as an employee of the school. (I'm sure Trinity doesn't mind Mr. Burkman using the school's email.) Point 2. Mr. Burkman has been spotted at some Oldham Middle School basketball games, even though there to watch a friend's son. Counterpoint. I'm afraid this speaks for itself. Mr. Burkman can act like a free man and attend any game that pleases him, just like you or me. Point 3. Letters are sent inviting students (and parents) to Thanksgiving practice and Chili suppers. Counterpoint. In order to entice kids to Trinity (remember, parents must PAY to send their kids) Trinity invites interested parties to attend special events. Trinity treats kids special so that they feel special. Although Trinity loves excellent athletes, they want every kid from Oldham County that wants to attend a Catholic High School to give Trinity a look. If parents want this for their kids Trinity wants them to know they are welcome. I suspect every Middle School boy receives a letter from Trinity at some point. If you wonder why only football players receive a letter to attend a Trinity Football practice, then perhaps Trinity should invite the debate team as well, but once again it is a special event. Finally, the Chili Supper is a fund raiser sponsored by the Trinity Cross Country team to help them pay for trips out of town. Since football games begin at 7:30, some find it convenient to eat somewhere close to the stadium before game time. For those Oldham County parents, we offered a spaghetti meal, all-you-can-eat for $5.00. It was not about recruiting, but about raising money. Point 4. Trinity speaks of "financial" aid and wear "T" jackets to games. Counterpoint. Parents sometimes wonder how they could possibly afford to send their kids to a private school. Many dream about it and want it very much for their children, but do not think they can afford it. The Louisville Catholic schools, as almost all private schools including colleges, offer financial aid. Trinity does not call it athletic aid because that would be incorrect. Those parents with three boys (over $18,000 due for tuition per year) in school at the same time. How many of us could find $18,000/year extra for school? This is the "aid" Trinity writes about in their letters. Trinity people wear "T" jackets and proudly promote their school because they love it. Thank you for admitting that Trinity follows the rules. Most parents feel good about sending their sons to your wonderful school(s) in Oldham County, but Trinity wants them to have a choice. If you know of a Middle School boy without an invitation to Trinity, athlete or not, please forward their name and address to Roger Burkman, (you can find his address on that large sign.)Trinity wants to be the best at everything and we need Oldham County boys to succeed!

I agree that numbers matter. So what? Trinity had the same superior numbers in 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995.... (you get the picture) yet they didn't win. We have an advantage in numbers right now and it looks like it will get worse (for you, not me) in the upcoming years. Should we close down? Not take more applications? Private schools are in business to attract students or else they will close. Look what happened to my beloved Flaget and Bishop David, not to mention several girl's schools in the Louisville area. If your argument concerns the unfairness of it all then why not work to pull your team out of 4A and into an easier league? I personally would much rather play in a private league with other like-minded schools who wanted nothing more than to prove they were the best in the state in any given year. Line your best 11 up against my best 11 and play the game - just like Male and Trinity on December 7. Everything else is just talk.